Products and processes for communicating information regarding a product dispensed by a vending machine

ABSTRACT

According to an embodiment, information about a product is communicated to at least one customer of a vending machine. It is determined whether to dispense a product from the vending machine, and the product is dispensed from the vending machine.

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/719,441 filed Jun. 18, 2007 entitled PRODUCTS AND PROCESSESFOR COMMUNICATING INFORMATION REGARDING A PRODUCT DISPENSED BY A VENDINGMACHINE which the benefit of International Application No.PCT/US2005/024653, filed Jul. 12, 2005 in the name of Walker Digital,LLC et al. entitled, PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES FOR COMMUNICATINGINFORMATION REGARDING A PRODUCT DISPENSED BY A VENDING MACHINE; and U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/587,179, filed Jul. 12, 2004 in the nameof Walker et al. entitled, APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHODS FORCOMMUNICATING INFORMATION REGARDING VENDING MACHINE INVENTORY.

The content of each of these applications is incorporated herein byreference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a vending machine.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram of an embodiment of a system.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram of an embodiment of another system.

FIG. 2C is a block diagram of an embodiment of yet another system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the external appearanceof a vending machine consistent with an embodiment.

FIGS. 4A and B are a table illustrating an example data structure of anexample product inventory database.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process consistentwith an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Terms

The term “product” means any machine, manufacture and/or composition ofmatter as contemplated by 35 U.S.C. §101, unless expressly specifiedotherwise.

The terms “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “theembodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or more embodiments”, “someembodiments”, “one embodiment” and the like mean “one or more (but notall) embodiments of the disclosed invention(s)”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

A reference to “another embodiment” in describing an embodiment does notimply that the referenced embodiment is mutually exclusive with anotherembodiment (e.g., an embodiment described before the referencedembodiment), unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “including”, “comprising” and variations thereof mean“including but not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

The term “plurality” means “two or more”, unless expressly specifiedotherwise.

The term “herein” means “in the present application, including anythingwhich may be incorporated by reference”, unless expressly specifiedotherwise.

The phrase “at least one of”, when such phrase modifies a plurality ofthings (such as an enumerated list of things) means any combination ofone or more of those things, unless expressly specified otherwise. Forexample, the phrase at least one of a widget, a car and a wheel meanseither (i) a widget, (ii) a car, (iii) a wheel, (iv) a widget and a car,(v) a widget and a wheel, (vi) a car and a wheel, or (vii) a widget, acar and a wheel.

The phrase “based on” does not mean “based only on”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise. In other words, the phrase “based on” describesboth “based only on” and “based at least on”.

The term “whereby” is used herein only to precede a clause or other setof words that express only the intended result, objective or consequenceof something that is previously and explicitly recited. Thus, when theterm “whereby” is used in a claim, the clause or other words that theterm “whereby” modifies do not establish specific further limitations ofthe claim or otherwise restricts the meaning or scope of the claim.

Where a limitation of a first claim would cover one of a feature as wellas more than one of a feature (e.g., a limitation such as “at least onewidget” covers one widget as well as more than one widget), and where ina second claim that depends on the first claim, the second claim uses adefinite article “the” to refer to the limitation (e.g., “the widget”),this does not imply that the first claim covers only one of the feature,and this does not imply that the second claim covers only one of thefeature (e.g., “the widget” can cover both one widget and more than onewidget).

Each process (whether called a method, algorithm or otherwise)inherently includes one or more steps, and therefore all references to a“step” or “steps” of a process have an inherent antecedent basis in themere recitation of the term ‘process’ or a like term. Accordingly, anyreference in a claim to a ‘step’ or ‘steps’ of a process has sufficientantecedent basis.

When an ordinal number (such as “first”, “second”, “third” and so on) isused as an adjective before a term, that ordinal number is used (unlessexpressly specified otherwise) merely to indicate a particular feature,such as to distinguish that particular feature from another feature thatis described by the same term or by a similar term. For example, a“first widget” may be so named merely to distinguish it from, e.g., a“second widget”. Thus, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers “first” and“second” before the term “widget” does not indicate any otherrelationship between the two widgets, and likewise does not indicate anyother characteristics of either or both widgets. For example, the mereusage of the ordinal numbers “first” and “second” before the term“widget” (1) does not indicate that either widget comes before or afterany other in order or location; (2) does not indicate that either widgetoccurs or acts before or after any other in time; and (3) does notindicate that either widget ranks above or below any other, as inimportance or quality. In addition, the mere usage of ordinal numbersdoes not define a numerical limit to the features identified with theordinal numbers. For example, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers“first” and “second” before the term “widget” does not indicate thatthere must be no more than two widgets.

When a single device or article is described herein, more than onedevice/article (whether or not they cooperate) may alternatively be usedin place of the single device/article that is described. Accordingly,the functionality that is described as being possessed by a device mayalternatively be possessed by more than one device/article (whether ornot they cooperate).

Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein(whether or not they cooperate), a single device/article mayalternatively be used in place of the more than one device or articlethat is described. For example, a plurality of computer-based devicesmay be substituted with a single computer-based device. Accordingly, thevarious functionality that is described as being possessed by more thanone device or article may alternatively be possessed by a singledevice/article.

The functionality and/or the features of a single device that isdescribed may be alternatively embodied by one or more other deviceswhich are described but are not explicitly described as having suchfunctionality/features. Thus, other embodiments need not include thedescribed device itself, but rather can include the one or more otherdevices which would, in those other embodiments, have suchfunctionality/features.

Disclosed Examples are not Limiting

Numerous embodiments are described in this patent application, and arepresented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments arenot, and are not intended to be, limiting in any sense. The presentlydisclosed invention(s) are widely applicable to numerous embodiments, asis readily apparent from the disclosure. One of ordinary skill in theart will recognize that the disclosed invention(s) may be practiced withvarious modifications and alterations, such as structural, logical,software, and electrical modifications. Although particular features ofthe disclosed invention(s) may be described with reference to one ormore particular embodiments and/or drawings, it should be understoodthat such features are not limited to usage in the one or moreparticular embodiments or drawings with reference to which they aredescribed, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The present disclosure is neither a literal description of allembodiments of the invention nor a listing of features of the inventionwhich must be present in all embodiments.

Neither the Title (set forth at the beginning of the first page of thispatent application) nor the Abstract (set forth at the end of thispatent application) is to be taken as limiting in any way as the scopeof the disclosed invention(s).

Devices that are in communication with each other need not be incontinuous communication with each other, unless expressly specifiedotherwise. On the contrary, such devices need only transmit to eachother as necessary or desirable, and may actually refrain fromexchanging data most of the time. For example, a machine incommunication with another machine via the Internet may not transmitdata to the other machine for weeks at a time. In addition, devices thatare in communication with each other may communicate directly orindirectly through one or more intermediaries.

A description of an embodiment with several components or features doesnot imply that all or even any of such components/features are required.On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described toillustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the presentinvention(s). Unless otherwise specified explicitly, nocomponent/feature is essential or required.

Further, although process steps, algorithms or the like may be describedin a sequential order, such processes may be configured to work indifferent orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps thatmay be explicitly described does not necessarily indicate a requirementthat the steps be performed in that order. The steps of processesdescribed herein may be performed in any order practical. Further, somesteps may be performed simultaneously despite being described or impliedas occurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is describedafter the other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by itsdepiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated process isexclusive of other variations and modifications thereto, does not implythat the illustrated process or any of its steps are necessary to theinvention, and does not imply that the illustrated process is preferred.

Although a process may be described as including a plurality of steps,that does not indicate that all or even any of the steps are essentialor required. Various other embodiments within the scope of the describedinvention(s) include other processes that omit some or all of thedescribed steps. Unless otherwise specified explicitly, no step isessential or required.

Although a product may be described as including a plurality ofcomponents, aspects, qualities, characteristics and/or features, thatdoes not indicate that all of the plurality are essential or required.Various other embodiments within the scope of the described invention(s)include other products that omit some or all of the described plurality.

An enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does notimply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unlessexpressly specified otherwise. Likewise, an enumerated list of items(which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of theitems are comprehensive of any category, unless expressly specifiedotherwise. For example, the enumerated list “a computer, a laptop, aPDA” does not imply that any or all of the three items of that list aremutually exclusive and does not imply that any or all of the three itemsof that list are comprehensive of any category.

Headings of sections provided in this patent application and the titleof this patent application are for convenience only, and are not to betaken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

Determination

“Determining” something can be performed in a variety of manners andtherefore the term “determining” (and like terms) includes calculating,computing, deriving, looking up (e.g., in a table, database or datastructure), ascertaining and the like.

Computing

It will be readily apparent that the various methods and algorithmsdescribed herein may be implemented by, e.g., appropriately programmedgeneral purpose computers and computing devices. Typically a processor(e.g., one or more microprocessors) will receive instructions from amemory or like device, and execute those instructions, therebyperforming one or more processes defined by those instructions. Further,programs that implement such methods and algorithms may be stored andtransmitted using a variety of media (e.g., computer readable media) ina number of manners. In some embodiments, hard-wired circuitry or customhardware may be used in place of, or in combination with, softwareinstructions for implementation of the processes of various embodiments.Thus, embodiments are not limited to any specific combination ofhardware and software.

A “processor” means any one or more microprocessors, central processingunits (CPUs), computing devices, microcontrollers, digital signalprocessors, or like devices.

The term “computer-readable medium” refers to any medium thatparticipates in providing data (e.g., instructions) which may be read bya computer, a processor or a like device. Such a medium may take manyforms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media,and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, opticalor magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media includedynamic random access memory (DRAM), which typically constitutes themain memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire andfiber optics, including the wires that comprise a system bus coupled tothe processor. Transmission media may include or convey acoustic waves,light waves and electromagnetic emissions, such as those generatedduring radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications.Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppydisk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magneticmedium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, papertape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM,an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrierwave as described hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computercan read.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carryingsequences of instructions to a processor. For example, sequences ofinstruction (i) may be delivered from RAM to a processor, (ii) may becarried over a wireless transmission medium, and/or (iii) may beformatted according to numerous formats, standards or protocols, such asBluetooth, TDMA, CDMA, 3G.

Where databases are described, it will be understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art that (i) alternative database structures to thosedescribed may be readily employed, and (ii) other memory structuresbesides databases may be readily employed. Any illustrations ordescriptions of any sample databases presented herein are illustrativearrangements for stored representations of information. Any number ofother arrangements may be employed besides those suggested by, e.g.,tables illustrated in drawings or elsewhere. Similarly, any illustratedentries of the databases represent exemplary information only; one ofordinary skill in the art will understand that the number and content ofthe entries can be different from those described herein. Further,despite any depiction of the databases as tables, other formats(including relational databases, object-based models and/or distributeddatabases) could be used to store and manipulate the data typesdescribed herein. Likewise, object methods or behaviors of a databasecan be used to implement various processes, such as the describedherein. In addition, the databases may, in a known manner, be storedlocally or remotely from a device which accesses data in such adatabase.

The present invention can be configured to work in a network environmentincluding a computer that is in communication, via a communicationsnetwork, with one or more devices. The computer may communicate with thedevices directly or indirectly, via a wired or wireless medium such asthe Internet, LAN, WAN or Ethernet, Token Ring, or via any appropriatecommunications means or combination of communications means. Each of thedevices may comprise computers, such as those based on the Intel®Pentium® or Centrino™ processor, that are adapted to communicate withthe computer. Any number and type of machines may be in communicationwith the computer.

Continuing Applications

The present disclosure provides, to one of ordinary skill in the art, anenabling description of several embodiments and/or inventions. Some ofthese embodiments and/or inventions may not be claimed in the presentapplication, but may nevertheless be claimed in one or more continuingapplications that claim the benefit of priority of the presentapplication. Applicants intend to file additional applications to pursuepatents for subject matter that has been disclosed and enabled but notclaimed in the present application.

Various embodiments disclosed herein permit information regardingvending machine inventory to be communicated.

For example, in an embodiment a vending machine communicates informationregarding a product to at least one customer of the vending machine. Thevending machine determines whether to dispense a product, and theproduct is dispensed from the vending machine. The vending machine may,in an embodiment, determine whether to dispense the product based onwhether the customer acknowledges the information (e.g., by pressingkeypad buttons or touch screen icons in a certain order, by answeringtest questions correctly).

In an embodiment, information concerning the nutritional content ofvending machine inventory is communicated to one or more customers of avending machine. In some embodiments, a customer may or may not proceedto transact with a vending machine (e.g. by purchasing one or moreitems) based on the information and/or the customer's response thereto.

For example, in an embodiment, information concerning nutritionalcontent is presented upon the request of a customer. The requestedinformation may comprise nutritional information about all of theinventoried items, or a subset thereof. Thus, in an embodiment, acustomer may indicate, to a vending machine, a desire to learn which ofthe inventoried items hold certain nutritional attributes (e.g. whichitems are comprised of certain ingredients, which are Atkins® approved,kosher, low fat, low carbohydrate, low calorie, low sugar, containpeanuts, etc.). In response, the vending machine and/or a computerassociated therewith (e.g. a controller) may instruct an output deviceof a vending machine (e.g. a machine-mounted LCD screen) and/or anoutput device of a user device (e.g. an LCD screen of a customer'scellular telephone) to output an indication of which items hold therelevant nutritional attributes. For example, a customer may request tosee which of the inventoried items are “fat free”, and the vendingmachine may flash LED lights mounted proximately to the inventoriedproducts which do not contain fat. Accordingly, the customer may easilydetermine, and select for purchase, one or more items which are fatfree.

Further, in an embodiment, a vending machine may be configured torequire the customer's acknowledgement of certain nutritionalinformation before the customer is permitted to purchase one or moreinventoried products. For example, prior to dispensing a product, avending machine may output, via an LCD screen, one or moreproduct-related warnings (i.e. a “confirmation” or “consent” screen).The customer may be required to indicate (e.g. by touching a graphicalicon depicted on an LCD touch screen) his or her acceptance of the risksassociated with purchasing the product. Thus, a vending machine mayrestrict access to products unless customers acknowledge the risksassociated with such products (e.g. customers may not purchasecigarettes unless they expressly acknowledge the risks associated withsmoking; customers may not purchase PayDay® candy bars unless theyexpressly acknowledge that the product includes peanuts).

Many further embodiments are contemplated, as discussed herein.

DEFINITIONS

Actual product velocity—The actual rate at which a given product is soldby a vending machine during a period of time (e.g., during a salesperiod).Fill Period, Sales Period—The period of time between restock dates.Full Price, Retail Price—In some embodiments, the normal price chargedfor the purchase of one unit of a given product.Ideal product velocity, Target product velocity, Target velocity—Thedesired rate at which a given product should be sold by a vendingmachine during a period of time (e.g., during a sales period). Thus, insome embodiments, an ideal velocity may be set or calculated for eachproduct indicating the rate at which products must be sold in order todeplete the inventory to a certain level by the end of a given salesperiod (i.e., by the next restocking event at the vending machine).For example, an ideal product velocity may be calculated by a vendingmachine control system after an operator inputs a restock date and adesired remaining inventory for the date. For example, an operator maywish to have only one of each product remaining at the next restockingevent so that the vending machine sells as many products as possiblewithout completely selling out and thereby disappointing customers.Thus, in the preceding example, if an operator (a) stocks 50 units ofSoda A, (b) inputs a restock date fourteen days away, and (c) indicatesthat only one unit of Soda A should remain at the restock date, thecontrol system may divide 49 by 14 to conclude that, on average, 3.5units must be sold per day within the sales period in order to realizethe ideal product velocity.Operator—The owner (or agent thereof) of a vending machine. In anembodiment, an operator is a “route driver” or other service person thatservices one or more vending machines by restocking vending machines,and/or removing or depositing currency in vending machines.Product, Item—A good or service sold by a vending machine. Examples ofgoods sold at vending machines include beverages (e.g. cans of soda;bottles of water or iced tea), snacks (e.g. candy bars; bags of chips),tobacco products and toys. Examples of services sold by vending machinesinclude car washes, photography services and access to digital content(e.g. permitting the downloading of MP3 files or cellular telephone“ring tones” to a handheld device such as an iPod™ or cellulartelephone).Product Information, Product Information Attribute, Information(al)Attribute, Nutritional Data, Nutrition(al) Information, HealthInformation—Information associated with a product, including but notlimited to: (1) ingredient information (e.g. “contains peanuts”), (2)information related to dietary restrictions or guidelines (e.g. kosherstatus, Atkins® approved status, vegan status, caloric content, fatcontent, carbohydrate content, Weight Watchers® program points), (3)governmental messages (e.g. Surgeon General's warnings; FDA approvalstatus), and/or (4) any other information.Restock Date, Restock Time—The time and/or date that a vending machineis scheduled to be restocked by an operator (e.g. a route driver) of avending machine.User Device, Customer Device, Consumer Device—Any device owned or usedby a customer, which is capable of accessing and/or displaying onlineand/or offline content. User devices may communicate with one or morevending machine servers or controllers, one or more vending machines,one or more peripheral devices, one or more third-party (e.g. retailstore) servers, one or more user terminals, and/or other network nodes.In some embodiments, user devices may, for example, include gamingdevices, personal computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs),personal music players (e.g. an MP3 player), point-of-sale terminals,point of display terminals, kiosks, conventional telephones, cellulartelephones, automated teller machines (ATMs), pagers, and combinationsof such devices.

As stated, various embodiments can facilitate, among other things, thecommunication of information regarding vending machine inventory. In anembodiment, product information is communicated to one or morecustomers. Based on the information and/or the customer's responsethereto, a customer may or may not proceed to transact with a vendingmachine (e.g. by purchasing one or more items). Further, in anembodiment, a vending machine may be configured to require thecustomer's acknowledgement of certain product information before thecustomer is permitted to purchase one or more inventoried products.Other embodiments are contemplated, as discussed herein, particularlywith reference to the following description.

Vending Machine Apparatus and System Architecture

Generally, a vending machine in accordance with various embodiments maycomprise a device, or communicate with a device (e.g., a server, aperipheral device, and/or a peripheral device server), configured tomanage sales transactions with customers by, among other things,communicating product information to customers, receiving payment fromcustomers, controlling the pricing and/or distribution of goods, and/orcontrolling entitlements to services.

Referring now to FIG. 1, illustrated therein is a block diagram of anembodiment of a system. More specifically, FIG. 1 is a block diagram ofa vending machine 100 that may be operable to perform one or morefunctions described herein.

The vending machine 100 may include a processor 105, such as one or moreIntel®Pentium® or Centrino™ processors. The processor 105 (herein,“processor,” “processor 105”, “computer” or “control system”) mayinclude or be coupled to one or more clocks or timers (not pictured) andto one or more communication ports 165 through which the processor 105may communicate, in accordance with some embodiments, with other devicessuch as one or more peripheral device servers, one or more servers, oneor more peripheral devices, and/or one or more user devices. In anembodiment, a communication port 165 may comprise a modem (e.g. acellular modem or otherwise), a wireless transmitter or transponder(e.g. an infrared transmitter/receiver, a radio transmitter/receiver).

The processor 105 is also in communication with a data storage device110. The data storage device 110 may include any appropriate combinationof magnetic, optical and/or semiconductor memory, and may include, forexample, additional processors, communication ports, Random AccessMemory (“RAM”), Read-Only Memory (“ROM”), a compact disc and/or a harddisk. The processor 105 and the storage device 110 may each be, forexample: (i) located entirely within a single computer or othercomputing device; or (ii) connected to each other by a remotecommunication medium, such as a serial port cable, a LAN, a telephoneline, radio frequency transceiver, a fiber optic connection or the like.In some embodiments for example, the vending machine 100 may compriseone or more computers (or processors 105) that are connected to a remoteserver computer operative to maintain databases, where the data storagedevice 110 is comprised of the combination of the remote server computerand the associated databases.

The data storage device 110 stores a program 115 for controlling theprocessor 105. The processor 105 performs instructions of the program115, and thereby operates in accordance with various embodiments, andparticularly in accordance with the methods described in detail herein.An embodiment includes a computer program 115 developed using an objectoriented language that allows the modeling of complex systems withmodular objects to create abstractions that are representative of realworld, physical objects and their interrelationships. However, it wouldbe understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that variousembodiments as described herein can be implemented in many differentways using a wide range of programming techniques as well as generalpurpose hardware systems or dedicated controllers.

The program 115 may be stored in a compressed, uncompiled and/orencrypted format. The program 115 furthermore may include programelements that may be generally useful, such as an operating system, adatabase management system and device drivers for allowing the processor105 to interface with computer peripheral devices. Appropriate generalpurpose program elements are known to those skilled in the art, and neednot be described in detail herein.

Further, the program 115 is operative to execute a number ofinvention-specific, objects, modules and/or subroutines, as disclosedherein.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the instructionsof the program 115 may be read into a main memory of the processor 105from another computer-readable medium, such from a ROM to a RAM.Execution of sequences of the instructions in the program 115 causesprocessor 105 to perform the process steps described herein. Inalternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry or integrated circuits maybe used in place of, or in combination with, software instructions forimplementation of the processes of various embodiments. Thus,embodiments of the present invention are not limited to any specificcombination of hardware, firmware, and/or software.

In addition to the program 115, the storage device 110 is also operativeto store one or more databases. As will be understood by those skilledin the art, any schematic illustrations and accompanying descriptions ofany sample databases presented herein are exemplary arrangements forstored representations of information. Any number of other arrangementsmay be employed besides those suggested by the tables shown. Similarly,any illustrated entries of the databases represent exemplary informationonly; those skilled in the art will understand that the number andcontent of the entries can be different from those illustrated herein.Further, despite any depiction of the databases as tables, anobject-based model could be used to store and manipulate the data typesdisclosed herein and likewise, object methods or behaviors can be usedto implement the processes disclosed herein.

It should be noted that the term “computer-readable medium” as usedherein refers to any medium that participates in providing instructionsto a processor for execution. Such a medium may take many forms,including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, andtransmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical ormagnetic disks, such as memory. Volatile media include dynamic randomaccess memory (DRAM), which typically constitutes the main memory.Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics,including the wires that comprise a system bus coupled to the processor.Transmission media may carry acoustic or light waves, such as thosegenerated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) datacommunications. Common forms of computer-readable media include, forexample, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, anyother magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punchcards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, aRAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip orcartridge, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer canread. Various forms of computer readable media may be involved incarrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to aprocessor for execution.

Vending machine 100 may comprise payment processing mechanism(s) 150.The payment processing mechanism(s) 150 may comprise one or moremechanisms for receiving payment and dispensing change, including a coinacceptor, a bill validator, a card reader (e.g. a magnetic stripereader) and a change dispenser.

In a manner known in the art, a magnetic stripe card reader may readdata on the magnetic stripe of a credit or debit card, and it maycooperate with conventional point-of-sale credit card processingequipment to validate card-based purchases through a conventionaltransaction authorization network. Suitable card-based transactionprocessing systems and methods are available from USA Technologies,Inc., of Malvern, Pa.

The coin acceptor, bill validator and change dispenser may communicatewith a currency storage apparatus (a “hopper”; not shown) and maycomprise conventional devices such as models AE-2400, MC5000, TRC200 byMars, Inc. of West Chester, Pa., or CoinCo model 9300-L.

The coin acceptor and bill validator may receive and validate currencythat is stored by the currency storage apparatus. Further, a billvalidator or coin acceptor may be capable of monitoring stored currencyand maintaining a running total of the stored currency, as is discussedwith reference to U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,984, entitled COIN TUBE MONITORMEANS, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein for allpurposes. The change dispenser activates the return of coinage to thecustomer where appropriate.

In another embodiment, a vending machine in accordance with variousembodiments may be configured to receive payment authorization andproduct selection commands through a wireless device communicationnetwork, directly or indirectly, from a customer device (e.g. a cellulartelephone). In such an embodiment, a payment processing mechanism maycomprise a cellular transceiver operatively connected to a processor, asdescribed herein. Systems and methods allowing for the selection of andpayment for vending machine articles through cellular telephones areprovided by USA Technologies, Inc. Further, in such an embodiment, acustomer cellular telephone may serve as an input/output device, asdescribed herein.

Further details concerning vending machine payment processing mechanismsare well known in the art, and need not be described in further detailherein.

The vending machine 100 may further comprise an output device 155 and aninput device 160. It should be understood that, although only a singleoutput device 155 and a single input device 160 is illustrated in FIG.1, any number of output devices and/or input devices may be used.

In accordance with embodiments of the presenting invention, a vendingmachine may include an input device for receiving input from a customer,operator, or other person. Also, a vending machine may include one ormore output devices for outputting product and/or other information to acustomer or operator.

Many combinations of input and output devices may be employed inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. For example, inembodiments which feature touch screens (described herein), input andoutput functionality may be provided by a single device.

As described, a vending machine may include more than one input device.For example, a vending machine may include an exterior input device forreceiving customer input and an interior input device for receivingoperator input. In some embodiments, however, the input device providesthe dual functionality of receiving input data from both operators andcustomers.

As also described, a vending machine may comprise more than one outputdevice. For example, a vending machine may include both an LiquidCrystal Display (LCD) screen and several Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

Output device 155 may comprise, for example, an LCD and/or one or moreLEDs displays (e.g., several alphanumeric LEDs on the shelves of avending machine, each LED being associated with a row of productinventory).

In one embodiment, an LED display screen may be mounted to a vendingmachine (e.g., attached thereto, such as via bolts or other mountinghardware). Such a mounted LED display screen and may be used tocommunicate messages (e.g. product information) to customers. A suitableLED display screen for such an embodiment may be housed in an aluminumcase having a length of 27.5″, a height of 4.25″, and a depth of 1.75″.Such a display screen may have a display area capable of showing 13alphanumeric and/or graphical characters. Further, such an LED displayscreen may comprise a serial computer interface, such as an RJ45/RS232connector, for communicating with a processor, as described herein.Further still, such an LED display may be capable of outputting text andgraphics in several colors (e.g., red, yellow, green).

Further, in some embodiments, an output device comprises a printer. Inone embodiment, a printer is configured to print on card stock paper(e.g. 0.06 mm to 0.15 mm thickness), such as the EPSON EU-T400 SeriesKiosk Printer. Further, a printer may be capable of thermal lineprinting of various alphanumeric and graphical symbols in various fontsizes (e.g. raging from 9 to 24 point) on various types of paper.Additionally, such a printer may communicate with a processor (describedherein) via an RS232/IEEE 12834 and/or bi-directional parallelconnection. Such a printer may further comprise a 4 KB data buffer. Invarious embodiments, such a printer may be configured to output, forexample, information concerning nutritional content, subscriptionaccounts, transaction information, and so on.

Additionally, in some embodiments, an output device comprises an audiomodule, such as an audio speaker, that outputs information to customersaudibly. Speakers may comprise conventional speakers or modernhypersonic speakers.

Input device 160 may comprise one or more of (1) a set of alpha-numerickeys for providing input to the vending machine, such as theProgrammable Master Menu® Keypad, (2) a selector dial, (3) a set ofbuttons associated with a respective set of item dispensers, (4) amotion sensor, (5) a barcode reader, (6) a Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency(DTMF) receiver/decoder, (7) a wireless device (e.g. a cellulartelephone or wireless Personal Digital Assistant), (8) cameras, such asdigital video and/or digital still photographic cameras, (9) amicrophone and/or a voice recognition module, (10) a fingerprint reader,(11) a topical facial pattern scanner/reader, (12) an iris or retinalscanner, (13) an infrared receiver, and/or (14) any other device capableof receiving a command from a user and transmitting the command to aprocessor.

As described, in some embodiments, a touch-sensitive screen may beemployed to perform both input and output functions. Suitable,commercially available touch screens for use in accordance with variousembodiments are manufactured by Elo TouchSystems, Inc., of Fremont,Calif., such as Elo's AccuTouch series touch screens. Such touch screensmay comprise: (i) a first (e.g., outer-most) hard-surface screen layercoated with an anti-glare finish, (ii) a second screen layer coated witha transparent-conductive coating, (iii) a third screen layer comprisinga glass substrate with a uniform-conductive coating. Further, such touchscreens may be configured to detect input within a determined positionalaccuracy, such as a standard deviation of error less than ±0.080-inch (2mm). The sensitivity resolution of such touch screens may be more than100,000 touchpoints/in² (15,500 touchpoints/cm²) for a 13-inch touchscreen. For such touch screens, the touch activation force required totrigger an input signal to the processor (described herein) via thetouch screen is typically 2 to 4 ounces (57 to 113 g). Additionally,touch screens for use in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention may be resistant to environmental stressors such as water,humidity, chemicals, electrostatic energy, and the like. These and otheroperational details of touch screens (e.g., drive current, signalcurrent, capacitance, open circuit resistance, closed circuitresistance, etc.) are well known in the art and need not be describedfurther herein.

Vending machine 100 may further comprise one or more inventory storageand dispensing mechanism(s) 170. Product inventory storage and productdispensing functions of a vending machine configured in accordance witha snack machine embodiment of the present invention may include one ormore of: (i) a drive motor, (ii) metal shelves, (iii) a product deliverysystem (e.g. a chute, product tray, product tray door, etc.), (iv) dualspiral (i.e. double helix) item dispensing rods, (v) convertible (i.e.extendable) shelves, and/or (vi) a refrigeration unit.

In some embodiments, a vending machine may be housed in a casing of themodel 129 SnackShop manufactured by Automatic Products™. In suchembodiments, 3 removable shelves may be employed, together providing for30 product rows and an inventory capacity of between 185 to 522 commonlyvended snack products.

Inventory storage and dispensing mechanism(s) 170 may comprise one ormore of: (i) metal and/or plastic shelving, (ii) item dispensingactuators/motors, (iii) product delivery chutes, and/or (iv) arefrigeration unit. Further details concerning vending machine inventorystorage and dispensing mechanisms are well known in the art, and neednot be described in further detail herein.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, a block diagram of a system 200 according toat least one embodiment of the present invention includes a controller205 that is in communication, via a communications network 210, with oneor more vending machines 100. The controller 205 may communicate withthe vending machines 100 directly or indirectly, via a wired or wirelessmedium such as the Internet, LAN, WAN or Ethernet, Token Ring, or viaany appropriate communications means or combination of communicationsmeans.

Each of the vending machines 100 may comprise computers, such as thosebased on the Intel® Pentium® or Centrino™ processor, that are adapted tocommunicate with the controller 205. Further, in some embodiments, acontroller 205 may comprise one or more computers, such as those basedon the Intel® Pentium® processor, that may or may not be locatedremotely to one another or remotely to one or more of the vendingmachines 100. Thus, in some embodiments, a controller 205 may facilitatethe transmission of data between one or more vending machines 100 andone or more operator computers (not shown) so that human operators mayremotely interact with vending machines and/or vending machinecustomers. Further still, in some embodiments, system 200 includes auser device (not shown) that enables customers to transmit data toand/or receive data from a vending machine 100 and/or controller 205.

Any number and type of vending machines 100 may be in communication withthe controller 205. Communication between the vending machines 100 andthe controller 205, and among the vending machines 100 (whichcommunicate via communication network 220), may be direct or indirect,such as over the Internet through a Web site maintained by controller205 on a remote server or over an on-line data network includingcommercial on-line service providers, bulletin board systems and thelike. In yet other embodiments, the vending machines 100 may communicatewith one another and/or controller 205 over RF, cable TV, satellitelinks and the like.

Some, but not all, possible communication networks that may comprisenetwork 210 and/or network 220 or be otherwise part of system 200include: a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), theInternet, a telephone line, a cable line, a radio channel, an opticalcommunications line, a satellite communications link. Possiblecommunications protocols that may be part of system 200 include:Ethernet (or IEEE 802.3), SAP, ATP, Bluetooth™, and TCP/IP.Communication may be encrypted to ensure privacy and prevent fraud inany of a variety of ways well known in the art.

Those skilled in the art will understand that devices in communicationwith each other need not be continually transmitting to each other. Onthe contrary, such devices need only transmit to each other asnecessary, and may actually refrain from exchanging data most of thetime. For example, a device in communication with another device via theInternet may not transmit data to the other device for weeks at a time.

In an embodiment, the controller 205 may not be necessary and/orpreferred. For example, an embodiment may be practiced on a stand-alonevending machine 100 and/or a vending machine 100 in communication onlywith one or more other vending machines 100. In such an embodiment, anyfunctions described as performed by the controller 205 or data describedas stored on the controller 205 may instead be performed by or stored onone or more vending machines 100.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, some of thefunctionality described with reference to FIG. 1 as being performed byvending machine 100 may instead or in addition be performed bycontroller 205. Similarly, any data described with reference to FIG. 1as being stored in a memory of vending machine 100 may, in theembodiments of FIG. 2, be instead or in addition stored in a memory ofcontroller 205.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, a block diagram of another system 250according to at least one embodiment of the present invention includes acontroller 205 that is in communication, via a communications network210, with one or more vending machines 100. A difference between system200 (FIG. 2A) and system 250 (FIG. 2B) is that in system 250 at leastone vending machine 100 is also in communication with one or moreperipheral devices 255 (defined above). A peripheral device 255 may, inturn, be in communication with a peripheral device controller 260 (viacommunication network 275). In some embodiments, a peripheral device 255may also or instead be in communication with controller 205 (viacommunication network 290), one or more vending machines 100 (viacommunication network 265), and/or one or more user devices (not shown).In an embodiment the peripheral device controller 260 may be incommunication with one or more vending machines 100 (via communicationnetwork 280), controller 205 (via communication network 285), and/oruser device (not shown).

Any of the controller 205, the vending machines 100, the peripheraldevices 255 and/or the peripheral device server 260 may communicate withone another directly or indirectly, via a wired or wireless medium suchas the Internet, LAN, WAN or Ethernet, Token Ring, or via anyappropriate communications means or combination of communications means.For example, the controller 205 may communicate directly with one of thevending machines 100 (e.g., via a LAN) and indirectly (e.g., via avending machines 100) with a peripheral device 255. In another example,the controller 205 may communicate with one of the vending machines 100via a LAN and with another of the vending machines 100 via the Internet.

Any and all of the controller 205, the vending machines 100, theperipheral devices 255 and the peripheral device controller 260 maycomprise computers, such as those based on the Intel® Pentium® orCentrino™ processor. Further, in an embodiment, each of the peripheraldevices 255 may comprise an external or internal module associated withone or more of the vending machines 100 that is capable of communicatingwith one or more of the vending machines 100 and of directing the one ormore vending machines 100 to perform one or more functions.

Any number of vending machines 100 may be in communication with thecontroller 205. Any number and type of peripheral devices 255 may be incommunication with a vending machine 100, peripheral device controller260 and controller 205.

Communication between any of the controller 205, the vending machines100, the peripheral devices 255 and the peripheral device controller260, among the vending machines 100 and among the peripheral devices 255may be direct or indirect, such as over the Internet through a Web sitemaintained by controller 205 on a remote server or over an on-line datanetwork including commercial on-line service providers, bulletin boardsystems and the like. In yet other embodiments, any and all ofcontroller 205, the vending machines 100, the peripheral devices 255 andthe peripheral device controller 260 may communicate with one anotherover RF, cable TV, satellite links and the like.

Some, but not all, possible communication networks that may comprise anyor all of the network 210, 220, 265, 270, 275, 280, 285 and 290, or thatotherwise may be part of system 250 include: a local area network (LAN),a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, a telephone line, a cable line,a radio channel, an optical communications line, a satellitecommunications link. Possible communications protocols that may be partof system 250 include: Ethernet (or IEEE 802.3), SAP, ATP, Bluetooth™,and TCP/IP. Communication may be encrypted to ensure privacy and preventfraud in any of a variety of ways well known in the art.

In an embodiment, the controller 205 may not be necessary and/orpreferred. For example, an embodiment may be practiced on a stand-alonevending machine 100, one or more vending machines 100 in communicationwith one or more peripheral devices 255 (as illustrated in FIG. 2C), oneor more vending machines 100 in communication with peripheral devicecontroller 260, one or more peripheral devices 255 in communication withperipheral device controller 260, and/or a vending machine 100 incommunication only with one or more other vending machines 100. In suchembodiments, any functions described as performed by a particular device(e.g., by a vending machine 100) or data described as stored in a memoryof a particular device (e.g., in a memory of a vending machine 100) mayinstead or in addition be performed by or stored in another of thedevices described herein (e.g., a peripheral device 255).

Similarly, peripheral device controller 260 may not be desired and/orneeded in some embodiments of the present invention. In embodiments thatdo not involve peripheral device controller 260, any or all of thefunctions described herein as being performed by peripheral devicecontroller 260 may instead be performed by controller 205, one or morevending machines 100, one or more peripheral devices 255, or acombination thereof. Similarly, in embodiments that do not involveperipheral device controller 260 any data described herein as beingstored in a memory of peripheral device controller 260 may instead bestored in a memory of controller 205, one or more vending machines 100,one or more peripheral devices 255, or a combination thereof.

Any or all of the vending machines 100 may, respectively, include or bein communication with a peripheral device 255. A peripheral device 255may be a device that obtains (e.g., receives or reads) information from(and/or transmits information to) one or more vending machines 100. Forexample, a peripheral device 255 may be operable to obtain informationabout transactions being conducted at a vending machine 100, such as theinitiation of a transaction, an amount of money deposited for atransaction and/or a product selected during a transaction. For example,a peripheral device 255 may monitor activities carried out by aprocessor of a vending machine 100.

In an embodiment, one or more such peripheral devices 255 may be incommunication with a peripheral device controller 260. This allows theperipheral device controller 260 to receive information regarding aplurality of transactions conducted at a plurality of vending machines100. The peripheral device controller 260, in turn, may be incommunication with the controller 205. It should be understood that anyfunctions described herein as performed by a peripheral device 255 mayalso or instead be performed by the peripheral device controller 260.Similarly, any data described herein as being stored on or accessed by aperipheral device 255 may also or instead be stored on or accessed bythe peripheral device controller 260.

An example of a peripheral device that may comprise a peripheral device255 is the e-Port™ by USA Technologies Inc. The e-Port™ is a credit andsmart card-accepting unit that controls access to office and MDB vendingequipment, and serves as a point of purchase credit card transactiondevice. The e-Port™ includes an LCD that allows for the display of colorgraphics, and a touch sensitive input device (touch screen) that allowsusers to input data to the device. The display may be used to promptusers interactively with, e.g., promotions and information about theirtransaction status.

A peripheral device 255 may be operable to receive input from customers,receive payment from customers, exchange information with a remotelylocated server (e.g., controller 205 and/or peripheral device controller260) and/or display messages to customers. A peripheral device 255 maybe operable to instruct a vending machine 100 that appropriate paymenthas been received (e.g., via a credit card read by the separate device)and/or that a particular product should be dispensed by the vendingmachine. Further, a peripheral device 255 may be operable to instructthe vending machine to execute process steps and/or output messages(e.g. product information).

The functions described herein as being performed by a peripheral devicecontroller 260 and/or a peripheral device 255 may, in an embodiment, beperformed by the controller 205 (in lieu of or in conjunction with beingperformed by a peripheral device controller 260 and/or a peripheraldevice 255). Such functions may be performed by controller 205 in eithersystem 200 (FIG. 2A) or system 250 (FIG. 2B).

In an embodiment, a peripheral device 255 may be useful for implementingthe embodiments of the present invention into the operation of aconventional vending machine. For example, in order to avoid or minimizethe necessity of modifying or replacing a program already stored in amemory of a conventional vending machine, an external or internal modulethat comprises a peripheral device 255 may be inserted in or associatedwith the vending machine. For example, a conventional vending machinemay be retrofitted with a peripheral device 255 in order to implementone or more embodiments of the present invention.

A peripheral device 255 may include (i) a communications port (e.g., forcommunicating with one or more vending machines 100, peripheral devicecontroller 260, another peripheral device 255, and/or controller 205);(ii) a display (e.g., for graphics and/or text associated with apromotion), (iii) another output means (e.g., a speaker, light, ormotion device to communicate with a customer), (iv) a benefit providingmeans (e.g., a printer and paper dispensing means), and/or (v) an inputmeans.

In an embodiment, the peripheral device 255 may direct a vending machineto perform certain functions. For example, a program stored in a memoryof peripheral device 255 may cause a processor of a vending machine 100to perform certain functions. For example, a program stored in a memoryof peripheral device 255 may cause a processor of a vending machine todispense one or more products, dispense a monetary amount, refrain fromdispensing a monetary amount, refrain from outputting a product, and/orcommunicate with another device.

Note that, in an embodiment, a vending machine 100 and a peripheraldevice 255 that is associated with the vending machine 100 may notcommunicate with one another at all. In some embodiments, however, eachmay communicate with a computer or other device. For example, a vendingmachine 100 may communicate with controller 205 and an associatedperipheral device 255 may communicate with peripheral device controller260 and/or controller 205. For example, if both vending machine 100 andperipheral device 255 are in communication with controller 205, each mayobtain information associated with the other through controller 205.

It should be noted that in either the system 200 (FIG. 2A) or the system250 (FIG. 2B), the controller 205 and/or the peripheral devicecontroller 260 may be accessible, directly or indirectly, via anothercomputer (communicating, e.g., over the Internet or other network) by acustomer or another entity. Accordingly, a customer or other entity(e.g., an owner of the vending machine) of the other computer couldcommunicate with the controller 205 and/or peripheral device controller260 via a Web browser. The other computer could, e.g., receive from thecontroller 205 and/or peripheral device controller 260 messagesdescribed herein as being output by the vending machine or peripheraldevice, and/or transmit to the controller 205 and/or peripheral devicecontroller 260 input described herein as being provided to the vendingmachine. Similarly, various data described herein as received through aninput device of a vending machine 100 and/or peripheral device 255 maybe received through a Web browser communicating with the controller 205and/or peripheral device controller 260, which in turn communicates withthe vending machine 100. Thus, an operator of the vending machine mayhave remote polling and reporting capabilities (e.g. remote access tovending machine databases and diagnostics), may be able to transmitinstructions and/or commands to the vending machine 100, may be able tocommunicate with vending machine customers of vending machine 100 (viavending machine 100's input and output devices), and the like.

Referring now to FIG. 2C, a block diagram of another system 295according to at least one embodiment of the present invention includes avending machine 100 that is in communication with a peripheral device255. As described above, a prior art vending machine 100 may beretrofitted with a peripheral device 255. The peripheral device 255 maybe operable to perform at least some of the methods of variousembodiments and/or to direct the vending machine 100 to perform at leastsome of the methods of various embodiments, without requiring acontroller 205 and/or a peripheral device controller 260. In anembodiment, the vending machine 100 and/or the peripheral device 255 maybe accessible from a remote location via a communication port.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a diagram of an embodiment 300 of the externalappearance of an exemplary vending machine 100 is illustrated. Theembodiment 300 includes (i) a cabinet 305, (ii) an input/output device310 for receiving information from a customer and/or outputting textand/or graphical information to a customer, (iii) a payment processingmechanism 315, (iv) an inventory dispensing mechanism 320, and (iv) aproduct display window 325 behind which are visible the productsavailable for sale from the vending machine and the product storagemechanism that holds the products within the vending machine.

Cabinet 305 may be constructed from, for example, any combination of (1)commercial grade (e.g., sixteen-gauge) steel (e.g., for exterior panelsand internal shelving), (2) transparent materials such as glass orPlexiglas (e.g., for product display window 325), (3) rubber (e.g., forwaterproofing insulation), (4) plastic, (5) aluminum, and/or (6) anysuitable material.

Many commercially available machine cabinets can be modified to work inaccordance with various embodiments. For example, in snack machineembodiments, a suitable machine casing may comprise the 129 SnackShop™manufactured by Automatic Products International, Ltd.™ of Saint Paul,Minn., which stands at 72″/1829 mm wide, has a width of 38⅞″/988 mm, anda depth of 35″/889 mm. Other suitable snack machine casings include theA La Carte™ machine from Automatic Products™, and the GPL SnackVendor™model # 159 from Crane Merchandising Systems/Crane Co.™ of Stamford,Conn.

In beverage machine embodiments, machine cabinets commercially availablefrom Dixie Narco™, Inc. of Williston, S.C. may be employed. Beveragemachine cabinets may comprise a “cooler” or “glass front” style frontpanel, featuring a transparent front panel (e.g. glass) enablingcustomers to see inventory for sale. Alternatively, beverage machinecasings may comprise a “bubble front” style front panel, featuring adecorative front panel, typically used to advertise a logo of a productmanufacturer commercially interested in the vending machine's operation.

Other embodiments are contemplated as well, including combination snackand beverage vending machine embodiments, such as those available fromCrain Co.™. Further details concerning the suitability of machinecasing/cabinetry are well known in the art, and need not be described infurther detail herein.

It should be noted that payment processing mechanism 315 may compriseany or all of the components described with reference to paymentprocessing mechanism 150 (FIG. 1). Similarly, product dispensingmechanism 320 may comprise any or all of the components suitable fordispensing products described above with reference to inventory storageand dispensing mechanism 170 (FIG. 1).

Processes

As stated, various embodiments facilitate, among other things, thecommunication of information regarding vending machine inventory. In anembodiment, product information is communicated to one or morecustomers. Based on the information and/or the customer's responsethereto, a customer may or may not proceed to transact with a vendingmachine (e.g. by purchasing one or more items). Further, in anembodiment, a vending machine may be configured to require thecustomer's acknowledgement of certain product information before thecustomer is permitted to purchase one or more inventoried products.

A process for communicating product information to vending machinecustomers according to one or more embodiments is provided below.

Step 100: Determine Whether to Output Product Information to VendingMachine Customer.

In one embodiment, a process begins at Step 100 where the system (one ormore of a vending machine 100, a peripheral device 255, a peripheraldevice controller 260, a controller 205, an operator and/or a userdevice) determines whether to output product information to a vendingmachine customer. The system may so determine to output productinformation if one or more conditions are satisfied.

In one embodiment, a condition for the output of product information isthat a customer must indicate his or her intent (or potential intent) topurchase a product from a vending machine. Thus, in one embodiment, if amotion sensor (an input device 160) detects the presence of a customer,then the system may determine that it should output product informationvia an output device 155. Further, in one embodiment, the system maydetermine that it should output product information via output device155 if a customer (preliminarily) selects one or more items via an inputdevice 160 (e.g. a keypad). Further still, in one embodiment, the systemmay determine that it should output product information via an outputdevice 155 if a customer deposits money into a payment processingmechanism 150, for example, by depositing bills and/or coins, swiping amagnetic stripe card, or the like.

In yet another embodiment, a customer may indicate his or her actual orpotential intent to purchase a product by entering, into an input device(e.g. a touch screen) of the vending machine 100, peripheral device 255and/or user device, an account identifier. In some account identifierembodiments, an account identifier corresponds to a financial account(e.g. a credit card account, a debit card account, a PayPal™ account,etc.). Further, according to some account identifier embodiments, acustomer may enter a code previously registered or issued upon theestablishment of a vending machine account, such as a prepaid“subscription” account, that enables a customer to receive several unitsof product over a period of time. In some embodiments, an accountidentifier may uniquely identify a customer (i.e., each customer isprovided a unique account identifier). Vending machine subscriptionaccounts are described at length in Applicant's U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/527,988, entitled APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FORESTABLISHING MULTI-TRANSACTION RELATIONSHIPS WITH VENDING MACHINECUSTOMERS, filed Dec. 9, 2003; U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,972, entitled METHODAND APPARATUS FOR ESTABLISHING AND MANAGING VENDING MACHINESUBSCRIPTIONS, issued Oct. 9, 2001; U.S. Pat. No. 6,085,888, entitledMETHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ESTABLISHING AND MANAGING VENDING MACHINESUBSCRIPTIONS, issued Jul. 11, 2000; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,346,entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ESTABLISHING AND MANAGING VENDINGMACHINE SUBSCRIPTIONS, issued Nov. 23, 1999; the entirety of each isincorporated by reference herein.

Further, in an embodiment, a condition for the output of productinformation may be that one or more customers have requested the productinformation via the vending machine 100 (i.e. through an input device160), via a peripheral device 255, and/or via a user device (e.g. via acellular telephone). Thus, in one embodiment, a customer may approach avending machine, become interested in a product after viewing theproduct through the product display window 325, and may wish to learnmore about the product. The customer may depress keys on a keypad (aninput device 160) correlating to an inventoried item (e.g. a rowposition identifier of a product inventory database 120), and thevending machine 100 may, in response, output corresponding productinformation. Or, the customer may then call a phone number posted on thevending machine 100 with his cellular telephone, and may be connected tocontroller 205, which may operate Interactive Voice Response (IVR)software to prompt the customer with menu options. In response to themenu prompts, the customer may depress keys on his cellular telephone,which causes the cellular telephone to emit DTMF tones to the controller205, thereby indicating the customer's request for product information.For example, the customer may indicate a row position identifiercorresponding to a shelf position of a particular product in the vendingmachine's inventory. In response, the controller 205 may retrieveproduct information and output it to the customer. For example, acustomer interested in a Snickers® brand candy bar may call1-800-VENDMOR, indicate the row position identifier corresponding toSnickers® (e.g. “A1”), and may receive ingredient content and othernutritional information (e.g. calorie content, etc.) associated withSnickers® bars.

Additionally, in an embodiment, a condition for the output of may bebased on data about sales (e.g., data about sales of one or moreproducts, demand for one or more products, profitability of one or moreproducts, expected value of sales). For example, product information maybe output if a stored product sales rule is satisfied, which may, e.g.,require the presence or absence of sales-related information. Forexample, in one embodiment, if one or more products are selling slowerthan anticipated or desired (e.g. if actual product velocity is lessthan ideal product velocity, as indicated in a product inventorydatabase 120), then the system may determine (e.g., in accordance with astored product sales rule) to output certain product information in aneffort to stimulate sales (i.e. low fat items may be promoted).Conversely, in some embodiments, if one or more products are sellingslower than anticipated or desired, then the system may determine tostop or prevent the output of certain product information, as suchinformation may be related to the slump in sales.

Further, in some embodiments, the system may periodically orsubstantially continuously test the effect on sales (and/or profits) ofoutputting certain product information. If the output of certain productinformation (e.g. fat content of inventoried products) is correlated (toa predetermined degree) with a decline in sales and/or profits, it maybe deemphasized (e.g. output in a smaller font, positioned lower in asorted list) or hidden entirely from customers. On the other hand, ifthe output of certain product information (e.g. vitamin content) iscorrelated (to a predetermined degree) with a rise in sales and/orprofits, and it may be emphasized (e.g. constantly output on a touchscreen, highlighted in a particular color, etc.). Thus, in someembodiments, vending machines may dynamically “adapt” to localenvironments by determining an appropriate amount of product informationto output to customers in an effort to increase sales.

In another embodiment, a condition for the output of product informationis the expected value of one or more products. Thus, in one embodiment,if a customer preliminarily selects, at Step 100, a first product, thesystem may determine to output product information associated with oneor more other products if the expected value associated with thepotential sale of the one or more other products is greater than theexpected value associated with the sale of the preliminarily selectedproduct. For example, in one embodiment, if the margin of a secondproduct is greater than the margin of a first, preliminarily selectedproduct, a vending machine may output product information associatedwith the second product. For example, if a customer preliminarilyselects (at Step 100) a Coke® for $1.00, the vending machine may output(at Step 200, below) an offer enabling the customer to purchase a DietCoke® for $1.00 because Diet Coke® exhibits greater margin potential(e.g. its retail price less its cost is greater than the differencebetween the retail price and cost of Coke®). Further, a condition forthe output of product information associated with a second (notpreliminarily requested) product may be that the second product holdsome nutritional or dietary advantage over the first (preliminarilyselected) product and/or over other products. Thus, if a customerpreliminarily selects a Coke® (at Step 100), the vending machine mayoutput (at Step 200, below) an offer to purchase Diet Coke® because itexhibits greater margin potential and because it has fewer calories.Accordingly, some embodiments of the present invention may be used topersuade customers into purchasing more profitable items by outputtingnutritional data corresponding to such items.

Further, in another embodiment, a vending machine 100 and/or peripheraldevice 255 may determine to output product information by receiving acommand to do so from a controller 205. Thus, in one embodiment, anoperator may, through a controller 205, send a command to output productinformation to a vending machine 100 and/or peripheral device 255. Forexample, an operator may type product information into a keyboard of apersonal computer, which may in turn transmit the product information tothe controller 205 for ultimate transmission to the vending machine 100.The operator may send such product information in response to a requestfrom one or more customers, who may first request the productinformation via a user device, vending machine 100 and/or controller205.

Step 200: Output Product Information to Vending Machine Customer.

At Step 200, product information is output to a vending machinecustomer. In an embodiment, product information may be output to acustomer via (1) an output device 155 of a vending machine 100, (2) anoutput device of a peripheral device 255, and/or (3) an output device ofa user device (e.g., a cellular telephone, a PDA, a personal computer).

As stated, in an embodiment, the product information to be output may beretrieved and/or received at Step 200 by a vending machine 100 and/orperipheral device 255 from a remote computer, such as controller 205.Alternatively or additionally, in an embodiment, the product informationto be output may be retrieved by the system from a product inventorydatabase 120 (FIGS. 1, 4).

As shown in FIG. 4, a product inventory database 120 may store productinformation that may be useful to customers and/or required by law,regulation or agreement. Prior to Step 200, such as during a restockingevent at the end of a fill period, an operator (e.g., a route driver)may input the data for storage in a product inventory database 120. Theoperator may input the data manually into an input device 160 (e.g., akeypad) or may upload the data into an input device 160 and/orcommunications port 165 via a handheld device (e.g., a USB “key fob”portable memory drive) or other mobile computing device (e.g., a PDA, apersonal computer, a cellular telephone).

Alternatively or additionally, product information may be downloaded toproduct inventory database 120 of a vending machine 100 from acontroller 205. For example, in one embodiment, an operator may scan,into an internally accessible optical input device of a vending machine100, bar coded information associated with one or more products, such asUniversal Product Codes (UPCs) or Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) identifiers.In turn, the vending machine 100 may query a remote computer (e.g.,controller 205) and/or database associated therewith (e.g., onemaintained or hosted by controller 205) for product informationcorresponding to the bar coded information. The identified productinformation may then be downloaded to the product inventory database 120so that, at Step 200, it may be readily accessed by a processor 105 of avending machine 100 and output to a customer.

In yet another embodiment, during a restocking process, an operator mayhold a product up to a camera (e.g. mounted to the inside of a vendingmachine) so that a picture may be taken of the “nutrition facts” labelrequired by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The picture maybe stored in a product inventory database 120, so that it may be outputon a touch screen to a customer at Step 200. In yet another embodiment,an operator may upload from a device to a vending machine 100 a graphicfile (e.g. a .JPG file) depicting a “nutrition facts” label.

In various embodiments, product information that is output (via anoutput device of a vending machine 100, a peripheral device 255, acontroller 205 and/or a user device) may be presented in one or moremanners or formats. Thus, in an embodiment, textual information isoutput. For example, information stored in a product information fieldof product inventory database 120 may be output via an LCD screen (e.g.a touch screen) of a vending machine or a customer's cellular telephone.Further, in an embodiment, graphical icons associated with products areoutput via such an output device. Further still, in an embodiment, audiocontent is output through a speaker of a vending machine 100, aperipheral device 255 and/or a user device (e.g. a customer's cellulartelephone). Further, in one embodiment, a vending machine may printproduct information on a paper slip and dispense the slip to a customer.Alternatively, a vending machine may output (e.g. dispense, via anoutput device or an inventory dispensing mechanism 170) pre-printedpaper-based materials containing product information thereon. Further,in some embodiments, product information may be communicated via acombination of static signage and one or more electronic output devices.For example, static (e.g. painted) signage may read “low fat itemsindicated by red flashing lights”, and red LEDs located proximately toone or more (low fat) items may flash.

In some embodiments, product information may be sorted or otherwisearranged in a particular manner. For example, in one embodiment, producticons or textual descriptions may be presented on an LCD screen in asorted manner according to one or more informational attributes,including, but not limited to caloric content, fat content, sugarcontent, Weight Watchers® point value, and the like. Thus, customersmay, at Step 100, request (e.g., by pressing a button) to view items indescending order, for example, from the product having the lowestcalorie, fat or sugar content to the product having the highest calorie,fat or sugar content. Further, in some embodiments, only a subset of asorted list is output to a customer (e.g., only the ten lowest calorieitems are presented).

In another embodiment, lights (e.g., LEDs) mounted proximately tocertain products may illuminate to indicate certain product informationattributes. Thus, in one embodiment, a customer may be provided withmenu options on a touch screen. When selected by a customer (at Step100), a menu option may instruct a vending machine to illuminate lightscorresponding to products having certain attributes. For example, onemenu option may provide a customer with the ability to “view all Atkins®approved products”. Upon selection of the menu option from a touchscreen, LEDs associated with each Atkins® approved product may flash sothat the customer can see which items are Atkins® approved. Other menuoptions may permit the customer to see the products according to one ormore other product information attributes (kosher status, fat freeproducts, etc.). Further, in some embodiments, customers may selectmultiple menu options, so that only those products possessing all therequested attributes would be indicated by the illuminated lights (e.g.where a customer selects both Atkins® and kosher, only products whichsatisfy both dietary programs are indicated by illuminated lights). Itshould be noted that, in other embodiments, customers may select suchmenu options from any input device contemplated herein (e.g. keypads,microphones, etc.), and products possessing the relevant attributes maybe communicated through any output device contemplated herein (LCDscreens, CRT monitors, etc.). Thus, in some embodiments, a customer mayrequest, through a cellular telephone, to hear a list (output bycontroller 205) of all products in a vending machine possessing or notpossessing a certain informational attribute.

In some embodiments, the product information output at Step 200 maycorrelate to one or more items that a customer has preliminarilyselected or otherwise indicated an interest in at Step 100. For example,following the exemplary data in the product inventory database 120 ofFIGS. 4A and 4B, where a customer preliminarily selects a Milky Way®candy bar during Step 100 (e.g. by inputting A2 into a keypad of vendingmachine 100 or a user device), the system may output (at Step 200) thefollowing text via an output device, such as an LCD screen of a vendingmachine 100 or a user device: “Calories=220, Fat=5 grams, Carbs=9grams”. Further, in an embodiment, a vending machine may output, at Step200, health warnings related to a product preliminarily selected at Step100. For example, the system may determine that, following the productinformation in the third record of the product inventory database 120 ofFIG. 4A, a customer who preliminarily selects “Marlboro Mild” cigarettesat Step 100 should be provided, through an output device, a messagewhich provides: “Surgeon General Warning: Smoking Causes Cancer”.

Alternatively or additionally, some or all of product information thatis output at Step 200 describes one or more items that a customer hasnot preliminarily selected or otherwise indicated an interest in at Step100. For example, in some embodiments, the system may output dataallowing a customer to make a comparison between one or more alternateproducts. Thus, icons and/or text describing a product preliminarilyselected by a customer at Step 100 may at Step 200 be shown, on an LCDpanel, along side one or more icons or text describing one or moreproducts not selected by the customer. The system may determine productinformation of one or more (not selected) products by determining whichproducts are comparable, individually or in aggregate, to a productpreliminarily selected by the customer at Step 100. For example, in oneembodiment, a customer may select a candy bar at Step 100, and thevending machine may show at Step 200 one or more alternate items thatequate, in calories, to the candy bar (e.g. text may be output, reading“For the calories in that Milky Way® bar, you could eat two Brand Xgranola bars.”).

It should be noted that in some embodiments, the products selected bythe system for comparison (e.g. those products not preliminarilyselected by the customer) may be stored in the vending machine'sinventory storage apparatus 170 and/or indicated as “in stock” in aproduct inventory database 120, so that the system may offer thecomparable products for sale (i.e. an “alternate product offer”). Thus,the vending machine may at Step 200 promote some inventoried products asalternatives to products preliminarily requested by a customer at Step100. Further, as stated above with respect to Step 100, in someembodiments, inventoried products may be selected for comparison andused as the basis of alternate product offers at Step 200 based onexpected value considerations and/or product information attributes.Thus, in one embodiment, if a customer preliminarily selects, at Step100, a first product, the system may, at Step 200, determine to outputproduct information associated with one or more other inventoriedproducts if the expected value associated with the potential sale of theone or more other products is greater than the expected value associatedwith the sale of the preliminarily selected product. For example, in oneembodiment, if the margin of a second inventoried product is greaterthan the margin of a first, preliminarily selected product, a vendingmachine may output product information associated with the secondproduct. Further, a condition for the output of product informationassociated with a second (not preliminarily requested) product may bethat the second product hold some nutritional or dietary advantage overthe first (preliminarily selected) product and/or over other products.Accordingly, some embodiments of the present invention may be used topersuade customers into purchasing more profitable items by outputtingthe nutritional data of such items.

In some alternate embodiments, the system may output product informationconcerning comparable products that are not in a vending machine'sinventory. Thus, where a customer selects a candy bar for purchase, thesystem may output, for comparison, product information associated withnon-inventoried products, such as fruit and vegetables. For example,text may be output on an LCD screen reading, “For the calories in thatCandy bar, you could eat four apples!” Thus, the system may promotegeneral awareness about health and nutrition, while not necessarilydiscouraging the purchase of preliminarily requested items. Indeed, insome embodiments, such educational information may be output at Step 400(below), after a preliminarily requested product is dispensed (e.g. suchinformation may be output on a touch screen or printed on a paperreceipt after a preliminarily requested product is ultimatelydispensed).

In yet another embodiment, a vending machine 100 may output, at Step200, random factoids (e.g. “did you know that product X containsingredient Y?”) that may or may not correspond to preliminarily selectedproducts.

Step 300: Determine whether customer intends to purchase one or moreproducts.

At Step 300, the system determines whether a customer intends topurchase one or more products.

Thus, in one embodiment, where product information (e.g., ahealth-related warning screen; ingredient contents) is output to acustomer at Step 200 in response to a customer's preliminary selectionof a product at Step 100, the system may determine, at Step 300, whetheror not a customer has consented to purchasing the preliminarilyrequested product after receiving and contemplating the productinformation. In an embodiment, a customer may affirmatively indicate hisor her acceptance in one or more ways, including but not limited to, (1)depressing a button on a keypad of a vending machine 100 or a userdevice (e.g., a cell phone) and/or (2) speaking into a microphone of avending machine 100 and/or of a user device (e.g., customer says “Iaccept” or “yes” after being shown U.S. Surgeon General warnings orafter being shown caloric content of food items). Further still, in anembodiment, a customer may be required to confirm his or heracknowledgement of or acquiescence to product information by pressingkeypad buttons or touch screen icons in a certain order, answering testquestions correctly (e.g., questions about product informationpreviously output at Step 200), or the like.

Further, in one embodiment, a customer may indicate his or heracceptance by receiving a code from a controller 205 (e.g. through auser device, such as a cellular telephone) and entering the code into aninput device 160 of a vending machine 100. Thus, in at least oneembodiment, a customer may be required to call a controller 205 (at Step100) and listen to product information (at Step 200) before receiving an“access code” which permits the customer to purchase a product from avending machine.

Alternatively or additionally, a customer may indicate his or heracceptance by not actively providing an indication of acceptance withina predetermined, threshold period of time (i.e. the customer's silenceconstitutes acceptance). For example, if a customer does not press abutton of a vending machine 100 or of a user device within 30 seconds,it may be assumed that the customer intends to purchase a product evenafter being provided associated product information.

Further, in an embodiment, a customer may select, at Step 300, a productnot preliminarily selected at Step 100. Thus, in one embodiment, acustomer may accept, at Step 300, an alternate product offer presentedto the customer at Step 200. For example, a customer may receive, atStep 200, product information of one or more alternate products notpreliminarily selected by the customer at Step 100. After reviewing theproduct information, the customer may indicate, at Step 300, his or herdesire to purchase one or more products not preliminarily selected atStep 100.

Further still, in an embodiment, the system may determine at Step 300that a customer does not wish to purchase one or more products. Forexample, a customer may affirmatively indicate to the system (e.g. viaan input device 160) that he does not wish to purchase either a productpreliminarily selected at Step 100 or one or more alternate productspresented at Step 200. Alternatively, the system may determine at Step300 that the customer does not wish to purchase one or more products ifthe customer does not provide any response whatsoever within a thresholdperiod of time. If the customer does not wish to purchase one or moreproducts, the process may end.

Step 400: if Customer Intends to Purchase One or More Products, ProcessTransaction.

If it is determined at Step 300 that the customer intends to purchaseone or more products, the system proceeds at Step 400 to process atransaction.

In an embodiment, the step of processing a transaction comprisesdispensing one or more of (1) product(s) preliminarily selected by thecustomer at Step 100, and/or (2) product(s) presented to the customer inan alternate product offer at Step 200. Generally, the system maydispense a product to a customer by activating an inventory dispensingmechanism 170 corresponding to the relevant product. Apparatus andmethods for dispensing vending machine products are well known in theart and need not be discussed in further detail herein.

Further, in an embodiment, the step of processing a transactioncomprises processing a payment. Thus, in some embodiments, the systemmay process a cash or credit-based payment (e.g. through a paymentprocessing mechanism 150), or may debit a prepaid unit (“subscription”)account, as described herein. Vending machine payment processing is wellknown in the art and need not be discussed in further detail herein.

Further, in an embodiment, the system may at Step 400 record thecustomer's consent and/or acknowledgement of product information (outputat Step 200) in a transaction database 125 (FIG. 1). In one suchembodiment, the system may receive, through a microphone, a voice inputfrom a customer (e.g. a customer may state “I accept”) and may recordthe voice input at Step 400. Further, the system may record a picture ofa customer taken with a camera mounted to a vending machine 100. Furtherstill, the system may record a code (or indication thereof) received bya vending machine 100 from a customer at Step 300 (i.e. in an embodimentwhere a customer calls a controller 205, listens to product information,and receives an “access code” after acknowledging the productinformation). Such records may be stored in conjunction with atransaction identifier (e.g. generated by the processor 105) and/or apayment identifier (e.g. a prepaid unit account identifier, a creditcard number, etc.). Accordingly, any such recordation may besubsequently retrieved by an operator, governmental investigator, orcustomer, to prove that a customer was presented with relevant productinformation prior to the consummation of a transaction.

EXAMPLES

Following are examples of various embodiments of the invention. Theexamples are not in any way limiting on the scope of the presentdisclosure. The examples are provided to illustrate the breadth andscope of the disclosed embodiments.

-   -   1. Bob approaches a soda vending machine and views various        inventoried snacks through the machine's product display window.        Concerned about veering from his diet, he presses a button on        the vending machine's touch screen reading “see nutrition        information”. After pressing the button, Bob is prompted by the        vending machine to enter a row position identifier corresponding        to a product. As Bob is curious about the nutritional content of        Coke®, he selects enters “Cl” using buttons on the touch screen.        In response, the vending machine outputs (on the touch screen)        the FDA label corresponding to “Coke”. After determining that        the product conforms to his diet, Bob proceeds to purchase the        item.    -   2. Sue approaches a snack vending machine and views various        inventoried snacks through the machine's product display window.        Concerned about veering from her Weight Watchers® diet, she        presses a button on the vending machine's touch screen reading        “see Weight Watchers® points”. After pressing the button, Sue is        shown (on the touch screen), a list of all the inventoried        products, sorted by Weight Watchers® point values (from lowest        to highest). Sue selects the lowest point value product.    -   3. Jack approaches a cigarette vending machine, intending to        purchase a pack of Newport® cigarettes. A sign on the machine        reads, “Want smokes? Call 1-800-555-1212 to get an authorization        code”. Jack uses his cell phone to call the phone number, and a        computer running IVR software outputs a pre-recorded message to        Jack's cell phone, the message providing, “Warning: Cigarettes        may cause lung cancer. If you still wish to buy cigarettes,        press 1 now.” Jack presses 1 on his cell phone's keypad, and the        computer outputs an authorization code, which Jack enters into        the vending machine's touch screen. Via the Internet, the        vending machine confirms with the computer that the        authorization code is valid, and proceeds to process Jack's        transaction. The computer uses Automatic Number Identification        (ANI) technology to determine Jack's phone number, and records,        in conjunction with his phone number, an indication of his        consent in a new record of a transaction database.    -   4. Joan approaches a snack vending machine and proceeds to        purchase a Snickers® bar. Upon determining that Nature's Valley®        granola bars have a higher profit margin than Snickers® bars and        have fewer calories and grams of fat than Snickers® bars, the        vending machine outputs an alternate product offer on a touch        screen reading, “With fewer calories and grams of fat than        Snickers®, why not try a Nature's Valley® granola bar instead?”        Persuaded, Joan presses a button on the touch screen reading        “buy a Nature's Valley® granola bar”, and the vending machine        proceeds to process a transaction for the sale of a Nature's        Valley® granola bar.    -   5. John, a high school student, approaches a vending machine in        the lobby of his school. He deposits $1.00 into the vending        machine and proceeds to select a bag of M&M's® candies. The        vending machine dispenses the M&M's®, and also outputs a message        reading, “Did you know that apples are fat free and high in        fiber?” John received his M&M's, and learned a nutrition fact in        the process.

Additional Embodiments

-   -   In some embodiments, where the system outputs nutrition        information, the system may determine the total content of fat,        calories, carbohydrates, or the like in a package by determining        how many units of each metric are in each serving of the product        and multiplying the number by the number of servings in the        product. Such information can be obtained from an FDA label on a        product and/or may be stored in a product inventory database.        Thus, in some embodiments, the system can provide customers with        totaled information for an entire package of a product (e.g. the        total number of calories in a bag of chips, rather than the        number of calories per serving). Such an embodiment may serve to        make nutrition information clearer and/or less misleading.    -   In some embodiments, where the system outputs a list of        information items (e.g. a list of inventoried products and a        corresponding list of calorie totals), only a subset of a list        may be shown on a screen at a single point in time. Accordingly,        in some embodiments, a customer may instruct a screen to scroll        through additional list items. Further, in some embodiments,        product manufacturers may pay vending machine operators for more        favorable (e.g. higher) positioning in such a list of products.    -   In some embodiments, the system may output nutritional        information on a graph. For example, caloric content might be        graphed along an X axis, while carbohydrate content is shown        along the Y axis (or vice versa). Such a graph may accordingly        show a customer if a particular product is high in calories but        low in carbohydrates, or the like. Further, in some embodiments,        multiple items may be plotted on a single graph, so that        customers can compare nutritional attributes of several        products.    -   In some embodiments, a customer may input desired (or undesired)        ingredients or nutritional content (e.g. maximum number of        calories desired; allergic sensitivities) and a vending machine        may output, in response, a list of conforming products from        which the customer may choose one or more for purchase.    -   In an embodiment featuring prepaid unit (“subscription”)        accounts (as referenced herein), such accounts may allow        customers a balance of diet-related units, in addition to units        of inventory. For example, a customer may purchase a prepaid        unit account (e.g. such as Applicants' SnackPass™), which        enables a customer to redeem several units of product over a        period of time. In some embodiments, the prepaid unit account        may correlate to a “budget” of diet-related units including, but        not limited to, calories, fat and Weight Watchers® points. Thus,        in some embodiments, a customer may be shown, during a        transaction, a balance of remaining prepaid units of inventory,        and a balance of remaining diet-related units. Such embodiments        would enable a customer to prepay for several units of product,        and to obtain help from a vending machine in staying within        certain dietary goals or guidelines. For example, a customer may        purchase a “DietPass”, which permits the customer to receive        discounts on snack items from a vending machine (e.g. 11 units        for $5), but also guides the customer's selection of such items        so that the customer does not exceed a total of 1000 calories        per week. Accordingly, during a transaction in which a customer        attempts to redeem a prepaid unit of product, a customer's        options may be limited so that the customer stays within a        caloric budget (e.g. lights may flash next to items that are        still within the customer's caloric budget).        -   Further, in some embodiments, a customer may register            product information preferences when establishing a prepaid            unit account (e.g. by selecting an option to “always show me            the product that is lowest in fat), so that when the            customer enters an account identifier, product information            may be output in accordance with stored preferences.            -   Further still, in some embodiments, a customer may,                through a user device, access a web site to (i)                establish or renew a prepaid unit account, and/or (ii)                establish or adjust product information preferences.

1. A method, comprising: receiving, from a customer, a selection of aproduct that is dispensable from a vending machine; determining, basedon the product, whether to output a warning to the customer; outputting,to the customer, nutritional information about the product, and awarning about the product, in which the outputting is performed via anoutput device of the vending machine; determining whether the customeracknowledges the warning; determining whether to dispense a product fromthe vending machine based on whether the customer acknowledges thewarning; dispensing the product from the vending machine; and storing,in a database, an indication that the customer acknowledges the warning.2. The method of claim 1, in which the step of outputting comprises:outputting via an output device of the vending machine.
 3. A method,comprising: communicating information about a product to at least onecustomer of a vending machine; determining whether the customeracknowledges the information; determining whether to dispense a productfrom the vending machine based on whether the customer acknowledges theinformation; and dispensing the product from the vending machine.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, further comprising: determining whether tocommunicate the information to the customer.
 5. The method of claim 4,in which determining whether to communicate the information to thecustomer comprises: determining whether the customer intends to purchasea product.
 6. The method of claim 4, in which determining whether tocommunicate the information to the customer comprises: determiningwhether the customer has requested the information.
 7. The method ofclaim 4, in which determining whether to communicate the information tothe customer comprises: evaluating data about sales of products that aredispensable from the vending machine.
 8. The method of claim 4, in whichthe step of communicating information about a product to at least onecustomer of a vending machine is performed only if it is determined tocommunicate the information to the customer.
 9. The method of claim 3,in which communicating information about the product comprises:outputting the information about the product via an output device of thevending machine.
 10. The method of claim 3, further comprising:indicating at least one product to the customer.
 11. The method of claim10, in which indicating the at least one product comprises: outputtingdata about a product that the customer has selected.
 12. The method ofclaim 10, in which indicating the at least one product comprises:commanding a light that is proximate to a product in the vending machineto flash.
 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising: determining aproduct to offer; and outputting an offer for the product.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, in which determining a product to offer comprises:determining a product to offer based on at least one of profitability ofthe product and product nutritional information for the product.
 15. Themethod of claim 3, further comprising: determining that the customeracknowledges the information; and storing, in a database, an indicationthat the customer acknowledges the information.
 16. An apparatus,comprising: a processor and a memory storing a program which, whenexecuted by the processor, directs the processor to perform the methodof claim 3.